Patent · US Expired

Low power dual-mode CMOS bias voltage generator

US4883976A · kind A · utility

60Cited by
2References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 2, 1987
Grant dateNov 28, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 2, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C5/146
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A substrate voltage bias generator is disclosed including a charge pump whose output is clamped during charge pump capacitor charging cycles to zero volts thereby eliminating a voltage drop associated with prior art clamping diodes. The charge pump further includes a stand-by and booted mode, the stand-by mode providing a first level of output current at a specified generated substrate bias voltage and in the booted mode generating increased output current and voltage. The increased voltage is generated across the charge pump capacitor by a second capacitor that is only operative in the booted mode and whose charge is shared with the charge pump capacitor thereby developing a higher voltage across the charge pump capacitor. The output voltage generated by the substrate bias generator is detected and if it is too low a voltage, the booted mode is turned off. An external signal determines whether the stand-by mode or booted mode are selected.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.